ARA Collision Repair Code of Ethics

The laws and provision of the NYS Department of Motors Vehicles Repair Shop Act of 1975 first governs the activities of a collision repair service in NY. All activities and behavior may not fall under the guidelines of “violation” according to Regulation.

In a Pro-Active responsible effort to adopt the following code of ethics. The ARA of Greater Syracuse adopts this code of ethics and let all persons know of it’s existence.

More than any other profession, the profession of autobody repair can affect the safety and well being of many people in terms of highway safety. When a Doctor makes a mistake it may kill one person. An autobody repairer who produces a faulty unsafe repair it could send a vehicle back on the highway to ultimately hurt and kill many people. Yet a hairdresser requires state testing and licensing to cut hair!

The National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov is one of the largest federal agencies that establishes rules for the manufacture of motor vehicles allowed to travel the highways of the US. The state department of motor vehicles then adopts these rules as standards. Vehicles are designed, built, tested and only allowed to drive on our nations highways if they meet exacting safety standards. Why then would any person in a fiduciary position, entrusted by consumers to remanufacture damaged vehicles, cut corners in attempt to re-engineer a damaged motor vehicle? This Professional Code of Ethics outlines conduct and disciplinary procedures including but not limited to the NY DMV Regulations.

The collision industry and collision repairers have the lives, safety and financial interest of the motoring public in their hands. Recognizing that consumers typically have no experience with collision repairs, they place their trust and confidence in professional collision repairers to ensure that vehicles are safe and properly repaired after a crash. The ARA also recognizes most collision repairs are paid by 3rd party insurance contracts purchased by the consumer to fund repair or replacement in the event crash damage occurs. The members of this association commit to be advocates on behalf of their consumer customers as far as consumer laws and individual contract agreement allow.

It takes knowledge, skill, and expertise to properly manage and repair a damaged vehicle and to manage and process insurance claims on behalf of consumers. Collision repairers are often the only advocate consumers have.

To ensure that consumers receive high quality repairs, to promote consumer confidence in those repairs, and receive the benefit entitlement owed to consumers. The ARA and its member collision repairers agree to conform to these ethical practices and standards.

A Collision repair facility, corporation or owner whose activities conflicts with established rules of this professional code may be punishable by disciplinary measures provided herein and agrees to accept the findings of the PRB without dispute past the Appeal Process. No legal recourse or remedy allowed.